Apparatus for reforming seamless metal containers



April 24, 1956 M. E. MOORE 2,742,873

APPARATUS FOR REFORMING SEAMLESS METAL CONTAINERS Filed May 19, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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APPARATUS FOR REFORMING SEAMLESS METAL CONTAINERS Filed May 19, 195

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APPARATUS FOR REFORMING SEAMLESS METAL CONTAINERS Filed May 19, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Zia! IN V EN TOR. /4

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INVENTOR.

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United States PatentO APPARATUS FOR REFORMING SEAMLESS METAL CONTAINERS Mark E. Moore, Maywood, 111., assignor to Willistou Seamless Can Co., Inc., Williston, N. Dak., a corporation of Delaware Application May 19, 1951,. Serial No. 227,187 4 Claims. (Cl. 113-44 now Patent No. 2,679,816 issued June 1, 1954.

'One of the objects of the present. invention is the provision of an improved form and construction of seamless can particularly adapted to be used for holding beer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved die for making seamless beer cans of the type disclosed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved methods of forming seamless cans adapted to be used for holding beer or similar beverages.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved dies and methods for changing the form of cylindrical seamless cans into beer cans, simulating a wooden barrel.

apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the seven sheets of drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a seamless beer can embodying my invention;

Fig.2 is a transverse sectional view, taken through a die assembly, showing a seamless can as constructed position in the die, into the beer barrel form;

sectional view, showing the shape after the stroke of the male die member has taken place, changing the can; 1

.Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the die assembly;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modification of the die;

Fig. 6. is a side elevational view of the automatic machine for forming the beer cans;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 77 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 99 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 10-10 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 11-11 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a part of Fig. 9, showing the parts enlarged and in a different position; H

ready to be expanded Fig. 3 is a similar in Fig. 1, except Fig. 13 is an end elevational view, taken on the plane of the line l3-13 of Fig. 11. I

Referring to the first sheet of drawings, 10'indicates in its entiretyv the new form ofseamless can which is the subject of the present invention. The can preferably has an outwardly projecting annular rib 11 around its bottom, the bottom 12 being bowed inwardly in partially spherical form, as shown in Fig. 3. The side wall 13 bulges outwardly, having a longitudinal line of curvature on a larger radius, which forms a surface-of revolution similar to a wooden beer barrel or keg.

This bulging side wall 13 is preferably provided with a pair of spaced and symmetrically located outwardly projecting fiat ribs 14,15, which simulate steel bands on a wooden keg. .The upper edge of the can has a rib or seam 16 by means of which the cover is applied. This seam or rib 16 also stimulates the appearance of a steel band on a wooden keg. Y

The cover is also preferably inwardly bowed like'the bottom 12 and is applied to the cam in the usual way, using a seam at this end.

The die, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 17, preferably includes a male plunger 18 and a female 'die assembly 19, consisting of a pair of separable steel blocks 20, 21. These blocks are rectangular in side elevation; end elevation, and in plan; and they are joined together by the four bolts 22 located adjacent the four corners of the assembly, and passing through registering bores 23 Alignment of the two blocks 20, 21 is assured by a dowel pin 24 on each side, arranged in two registering bores 25 located midway between top. and bottom of the female die assembly.

The die assembly also includes a bottom forming member 26, which is substantially cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall 27 and a plane bottom wall' 28; but its top wall 29 is convexly curved and partially cylindrical for forming the bottom wall of the can.

The die assembly 19 is provided with a cavity which is complementary to the external shape of the can. shown that the cavity also contains the. bottomforming die member 26. For example, the cavity has: a plane bottom wall 30 engaging the bottom 28 of the member 26. The cavity also has a cylindrical side wall 31 engaging the side of the die member 26. Just above the die member 26 and at its rim there in the die cavity, complementary to the rib 11.

From the rib 11 to the upper edge of the finished can, indicated at 33, the die cavity has an inwardly bulging. concavity 34, complementary to'the side wall 13 of the beer barrel can. At equally spaced points from the top.

ribs 14 and 15 on the beer can.

At its upper end the die assembly 19 has an opening comprising a cylindrical bore 37, which is complementary in shape and size to the external wall 38 of the male;

die plunger 39.

In other words, each of the die halves 20, 21 is formed with half of the cavity just described, thesehalves fitting together to form a cavity which is complementary to the exterior of the beer can shown in Fig. 1, except for the top seam 16, which is the result of the application of the cover by means of a seam.

In the process of the making of the beer can, a seamless can of the type disclosed in my prior application, aforesaid, is utilized, except that the may be plane or it may be already concavely curved, as shown at 12 in Fig. 3. In other words, the seamless can employed is made according to my prior application, 3 but it omits any ribs in the bottom; and the i to be shaped as shown in Fig. 3.

is a groove 32';

bottom of that can' bottom is:

Such a can, having a cylindrical side wall and a spherical bottom wall, is placed on the bottom forming member 26 between the die members and 21, which are secured together by the bolts 22. A cylindrical block of resilient deformable material, such as live resilient rubber or synthetic rubber, such as that sold under the trade name of Duprene is placed inside the can, as shown in Fig. 2. The plunger 18 is then placed in the bore 37; and the assembly is located on the bed of a hydraulic press or some other force applying mechanism.

The rubber core 40 is deformable, but actually not compressible, except to a limited degree; and rubber which is compressed axially must expand laterally. The high unit pressures which are applied causes the rubber to act like an hydraulic liquid, expanding and forcing the seamless can walls into all parts of the cavity until the can is formed by a single stroke into the form shown in Fig. 3. This is, of course, similar to Fig. 1, except that it lacks the top rib 16, which is the seam formed in applying the cover.

Referring to Fig. 5, the die assembly may also include a steel sleeve 41, which overlaps the end of the can and slides into the end of the can to guide the plunger 39 and apply the pressure to those parts of the can which are below the bore 37. Sleeve 41 is carried by an attaching flange 42 by means of which the sleeve is secured to the assembly. A plurality of clamping members 43 may be secured to the die parts by screw bolts 44. Sleeve 41 guides the rubber core 40 so that it does not engage the top of the can and prevents it from catching on the top of the can.

It is to be understood that since all metals have some elasticity, when the pressure is removed, the metal can will shrink slightly away from the walls of the cavity; but this can be taken into account in the size of the cavity parts. Thus the cavity can be made sufficiently larger to account for this shrinkage, which is the result of the elasticity of the metal.

The metal of the can is, of course, strained beyond its elastic limit, and thus takes the shape shown in Figs. 1 and 3. After the can has been thus shaped, the plunger 39 is removed; and the parts 20, 21 of the assembly are separated, thus permitting the can to be removed.

The rubber block 40 tends to regain its former cylindrical shape, shown in Fig. 2, in which it is smaller than the can and of approximately the same size as the end opening in the can.

Thus the rubber block may be pulled out of the can; and in so doing it becomes elongated, reducing its cross section and facilitating its removal.

My method of making beer cans, simulating a wooden beer barrel, may be described briefly as follows: Having reference to my prior application, a seamless can, made according to the prior application, is placed in a separable die assembly having a cavity formed with bulging side walls and with an inwardly concave bottom wall, and preferably having an annular formation for forming an end rib at the bottom to simulate a beer barrel band.

The cavity also preferably has equally spaced side grooves of annular shape for forming ribs which simulate the steel bands on the outside of a beer barrel between its ends.

A cylindrical block of deformable rubber is placed in the seamless can; and pressure is then applied in an axial direction by means of a hydraulic plunger applied to the end of the rubber at the open end of the can and of the die assembly.

The method includes the stretching and drawing of the seamless can by the bulging action of the rubber inside the can, which acts as an hydraulic fluid, pressing the can into every part of the cavity of the die, to simulate a beer barrel.

The method also includes the removal of the beer barrel can from the die by separating the die into its parts, since 4 this irregularly shaped article could not be removed in any other way.

Finally the rubber block is pulled out of the inside of the shaped can; and when the can has been filled with a beverage, the beer barrel appearance is completed by applying the top of the can with a seam, simulating a steel band at the upper end of the keg.

Strictly speaking, the present method is an improvement which includes the method of my prior application, in which a blank, comprising a circular disc of sheet metal, is placed upon a female die member having a central rectangular aperture and a top supporting surface.

The rim of this disc is subjected to sufficient pressure to prevent its wrinkling while the center of the disc is subjected to additional pressure to force it into the die aperture and to draw it over the edge of thedie into substantially cylindrical shape.

in some embodiments of the invention the rubber core or block may consist of a cylindrical, closed, resilient rubber shell filled with oil or air for performing the same result.

After this cylindrical shape is attained by the first die plunger, making a can of greater size and shorter length, the central plunger of the die of my prior application continues to draw the can into a second longer container of lesser diameter and thinner walls in the lower part of the aperture of the die assembly.

My present invention is an extension of the method described in my prior application, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Referring to Fig. 6, this is a top plan view of an automatic mechanism for forming the cans in a series of steps. This mechanism is preferably mounted upon a suitable metal base 50, which has a plurality of upwardly standing walls or frame members 51-54 located at right angles to the base and adapted to support the various parts of the mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the present mechanism preferably includes a fixed cam 55' for controlling the various operations and a rotatable die supporting member 56 for carrying the dies and moving them in relation to the cam 55'.

The cam 55 may be supported by means of a sleeve 57 having its attaching flanges 58 secured to the frame member 52. The cam 55' consists of a partially cylindrical metal plate, the cylindrical portion 59 (Fig. 8) being used to hold the dies in closed position; and the cam is provided with a drop 60, that is, a portion in which the diameter is reduced for permitting the opening of the dies, and with a rise 61, which effects a closure of the dies.

Referring again to Fig. ll, the frame members 51, 52, and 53 are provided with aligned bearings 62-64 for rotatably supporting the main shaft 65.

The die supporting member 56 preferably includes an elongated hub 66, which may be pinned to shaft 65 by means of a through pin 67 so that it rotates with the shaft; and due to its length, hub 66 maintains an axial position. Hub 66 (Fig. 7) has a radially extending supporting flange 68, which carries a plurality of radial arms 6972 (Fig. 7).

The arms 69-72 extend diagonally toward the cam 55', as shown in Fig. ll, so that the arms may support the peripheral frame members 73 (Fig. ll) in position to straddle the cam 55.

The present device preferably includes a plurality of die (55) assemblies, indicated by the numerals 20a and 21a, 20b and 21b, 20c and 210, and 20d and 21:1. The half die members 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are preferably fixedly secured upon the die supporting member 56 by being bolted to the peripheral frame members.

One of the peripheral frame members 73 is shown in plan in Fig. 6; and it may consist of a cast metal member substantially rectangular in plan, but having two parallel sides 74, 75 joined by the diagonal end plates 76, 77.

- are rigidly secured thereto by through bolts or rivets 79.

The diagonal end plates 76 and 77 are seen in Fig. 8; and these have an angularity such that they fit against the flat sides 80, 81 of the various die members 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, to which they are secured by the screw bolts 82, which pass through the diagonal flanges 76 and 77 and are threaded into the mold halves.

Thus the die supporting member 56 is substantially rectangular, as shown in Fig. 8, but carries the four half die members 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d at each of its corners. The half die members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are hinged to the die members 21a,'21b, 21c, and 21d, respectively, by means of pintles 83 passing through hinge formations 84 on each of the die members. Each of the movable die members 21a-21d is provided on its free corner, that is, the one opposite the pintle, with a pair of supporting flanges 85 for rotatably supporting a roller 86, which operates as a follower, engaging the edge of the cam 55'.

Thus the die halves 21a-21d are opened or closed, respectively, as determined by the position of the dies relative to the cam.

The rotatable die supporting member 56 has four positions, the first position of which is indicated at A (Fig. 8), with the die halves slightly open to receive the already formed cylindrical seamless can.

In the second position, B (Fig. 8), the diameter of the cam 55' has increased slightly to effect a complete closure of the die halves on the can; and this is the position in which the can is expanded into barrel shape, as shown in Fig. 12.

In the third position, C (Fig. 8), the die is still closed for the purpose of forming its bottom and crimping its top edge and shearing off the crimped edge, as shown in Fig. 10. 1 4

In the fourth position, D (Fig. 8), the die is open'and the can is ejected from the die by air pressure.

Referring to Fig. 11, this showsthe arrangements for driving the die supporting member 56 and also for controlling the supply of air for injecting cans into the die and ejecting them from the die and for controlling the hydraulic fluid.

The two frame members 51, 52 are formed with bearing bores 87, 88 for receiving the shaft 89. The shaft 89 carries a sprocket 90 at its outer end, which may be driven by means of a suitable motor; and the sprocket 90 is pinned to the shaft.

The shaft 89 meshes with a special gear 92 that is pinned to shaft 65, by means of which the die supporting member 56 is rotated. The shaft- 89 also carries the cam 93 for controlling the hydraulic fluid, and cam 94 for controlling the supply of air under pressure.

The interrupted gear 91 has a predetermined number of gear teeth 114 and a smooth cylindrical portion 115. The special gear has four gear tooth portions 116-119 separated by concave cylindrical portions 120-123, which are complementary to the cylindrical part" 115 of gear 91.

By means of such an arrangement the gear 91, rotating continuously, moves the gear 92 ina step by step manner. When the teeth 114 of gear 91 engage one of the toothed sections 116 of the gear 92, gear 92 is rotated one quarter revolution, moving all of the dies to the next successive position. When the cylindrical portion 115 of gear 91 engages the cylindrical concavities 120-123 of the gear 92, gear 92 is held in that position for a period of time, which depends on the length of the gear cylindrical portion 115-and its speed of rotation.

Thus the dies are successively moved step by step from one position to the next, and are firmly held in these accurately predetermined positions by the action of the gears 91, 92.

Referring to Fig. 13, 95 indicates a pipe'leading from also supports an interrupted gear 91, which vbers 51 and 52.

vided with a roller follower for engaginglthe air cam 94. Lever 98 is urged toward the cam by means of a spring 101; and the air from the valve 96 passes into pipe 102 to a nozzle 104. Nozzle 104 is seen in Figs. 6'and 7 as, being located above the discharge end of a can chute 105, by means of which cans are fed into position to be blown into the partially open die 20a, 21a. When it is in the slightly open position A, the air blows into the open end of the can, which is cylindrical, as formed in my prior application,

and another nozzle 106 (Fig. 6) connected with the. pipe 102 is in position to blow against the bottom of the com-. pletely formed can at the position D, when the die has opened, blowing the finished can out of the .open die into the chute 107, which slopes downward toward the" right, as shown in Fig. 7, discharging the cans by gravity" from the machine. Y I

The frame member 52 (Figs. 6 and 13')also supports another cam follower lever 108 pivoted at 109'and carrying a roller follower 110, engaging the hydraulic fluid cam 93 on the shaft 89. Lever 108 is urged in a clockwise direction by spring 111, which is strong enough to keep the follower 110 against the cam and to actuate the multiple plunger valve lever by means of a link ,113. Valve 112 may control multiple ports connected by various pipes to a supply of moved in either direction for the purpose of forming'the can while it is in the dies. 7 I

Referring to Fig. 9, this is a sectional view showing the parts of the die at position B. The die assembly."

19d has a cylindrical opening 31a" receiving the end of a hydraulic piston rod 26d, which supports the bottom of the can during the forming operation. rod 26d is slidably mounted in a bore 52d in the frame member 52 and is actuated by a piston in a hydraulic cylinder 126 between the All of the hydraulic cylinders have their rods provided with suitable packings and the packings for hydraulic fluid.

I The piston rod 131 has a shank with a head '133 on' its inner end for supporting a resilient compressible pistons with suitable rubber cylinder 134. This cylinder is in axial alignment 135, formed according to my prewith the metal can ceding application.

The cavity of the die at 34d to form the bulging side wall with the ribs, which are formed in the of the beer can wardly projecting rib 136 of the die. The rubber cylinder .134 is the metal can so that it may be easily inserted.

The cylindrical piston rod nular stop member 137 on its a cylindrical shroud sliding on piston rod counterbore 140 sliding on the annular the counterbore 140 is large enough to fit over the outside of the metal can 135.

The shroud 138 is reduced in size at its body for and movesthe can quickly into the die. At the same time the die 20b, 21b is in the position D;'

112, which isconnected to the This piston.

head located. two frame mem-- is supplied with' fluid to through the conduit 128..

having a piston assembly is suitably formedj annular grooves- 14a and 15d. The die assembly preferably has an .up-f

surrounding the open mouth smaller in diameter than 131 preferably has an an end and slidably supports, 138, which has a tubular bore 139 131. The shroud 138 has alargerstop [137; and

receiving a coil spring 141, which engages an enlarged portion 142. The enlarged portion has another annular recess 143 for receiving the annular rib 136 of the die assembly with suitable clearance.

The connecting rod 131 also carries an annular stop member 144, providing a seat for the left end of spring 141, whereby the shroud 138 is constantly urged toward the right in Fig. 9. The action of the parts is as follows:

When the can reaches the position B and the die has closed upon it, the hydraulic cylinders 126 and 129 are provided with hydraulic fluid, bringing the end of the piston rod 26d into the end of the die at 31d to engage thebottom of the can and give it support. The hydraulic cylinder 129 causes its plunger 131 to advance toward the right, inserting the rubber cylinder 134 in the can 135, and placing the shroud 138 about the projecting end of the can to prevent excessive expansion thereof.

The continued advance of the plunger 131 toward the right causes the rubber block 134 to become deformed, producing a. fluid pressure in the can 135, which causes it to expand into the bulging cavity 34d, forming a beer can of substantially the shape shown in Fig. 1, but with some of the cylindrical end portion of the can still projecting from the die.

After the can has been formed at position B, the die assembly containing it has plungers 131 and 26d retracted; and then the die moves to the position C. In this position the hydraulic cylinder 145 then receives hydraulic fluid through the conduit 146 and advances its plunger 147. This plunger has a partially spherical end 148 for providing the can with a spherically concave bottom 149.

While the can is being given support by the plunger 147, hydraulic cylinder 150 with its piston 151 causes the piston rod 152 to advance toward the right. This piston rod carries a cylindrical head 153 with a spring pressed crimping member 154 urged by spring 155 in bore 156.

The crimping member 15 cooperates with the plunger 147 to form the concave bottom and crimps over the upper end of the can; and thereafter the sleeve 157 of the head 153 trims otf the crimped edge of the can. The plungers 147 and 152 are then retracted from the die assembly; and the die moves on to the position D, where the cam permits the die to open; and the can is blown out of the open die into a chute, as previously described.

The two cylinders 126 and 145 may be simultaneously actuated on different die assemblies; and their hydraulic fluid pipes are connected to common conduits so that both the backing members 26d and 147 for the can are advanced and withdrawn at the same time.

The same is true of the plungers 131 and 152, which may be actuated simultaneously and withdrawn simultaneously; and all of these hydraulic cylinders are controlled by the multiple passage valve 158 (Fig. 8).

The operation of my automatic machine is as follows: Cans are taken from a chute and blown into the partially open die assembly at position A; and the rotor 56, which supports the die, proceeds step by step one quarter of a revolution at a time and is held in fixed position at positions A, B, C, and D for each die assembly.

In position B the seamless can is formed with its bulging side walls and annular ribs simulating barrel hoops. In position C the end of the can is crimped over and the closed end is formed with a spherical concavity; and the excess is trimmed off the open end of the can. In position D the die is open and the can is ejected from the die into a chute.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an automatic machine which receives the cans from a chute containing a series of cylindrical seamless cans and moving them step by step from one die position to another. The cans are formed into the shape shown in Fig, l, and ejected from the machine.

The present machine is simple in construction and capable of operating for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement of any of its parts. It forms the specially shaped beer cans with a minimum amount of labor or other attention, and reduces the cost of the finished product to a minimum.

It will thus be observed that I have also invented an improved beer container of metal, which is seamless except for its cover, and which simulates the appearance and shape of a beer barrel. This novel container is made by means of an improved method involving the use of an improved die.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth. but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An apparatus for changing the form of seamless metal containers of cylindrical shape open at the top which comprises, a supporting frame, a fixed cam carried by said frame, a shaft at right angles to said cam and passing through said cam, a turntable rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a rectangular rotating frame surrounding said cam, said supporting frame having four stations A, B, C and D for location of apparatus acting on parts carried by said turntable, means for moving said turntable step by step, 90 degrees for each step to bring the turntable supported apparatus successively into position at said four stations, four molds carried by said turntable and located at 90 degrees from each other to register with apparatus at said four positions, each mold having a centrally bulging round cavity open at both ends, and each cavity having three peripherally extending grooves in its outer wall located to form the container like a barrel with hoops, each mold comprising two halves, one of which is fixed on the turntable and the other of which is pivoted on the fixed half and provided with a follower engaging said cam, said cam being shaped to keep the mold closed in positions A, B and C," and open in position D, means for depositing a cylindrical can in the mold in position A and means for discharging a formed can from the mold in position D, an hydraulic cylinder and piston located at position at one end of the mold in that position, said piston carrying a backing cylinder inserted into the mold to engage the closed end of the can, and an opposite hydraulic cylinder and piston, said latter piston carrying a resilient rubber cylinder insertable into the can at that position and deformable in the can to cause the can to conform to the mold, and control means for energizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after a mold containing a new can is moved to position B, and for deenergizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after the can has been formed in position B for permitting further rotation of the turntable.

2. An apparatus for changing the form of seamless metal containers of cylindrical shape open at the top which comprises, a supporting frame, a fixed cam carried by said frame, a shaft at right angles to said cam and passing through said cam, a turntable rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a rectangular rotating frame surrounding said cam, said supporting frame having four stations A, B, C and D for location of apparatus acting on parts carried by said turntable, means for moving said turntable step by step, 90 degrees for each step to bring the turntable supported apparatus successively into position at said four stations, four molds carried by said turntable and located at 90 degrees from each other to register with apparatus at said four positions, each mold having a centrally bulging round cavity open at both ends, and each cavity having three peripherally extending grooves in its outer wall located to form. the container like a barrel with hoops, each mold comprising two halves, one of which is fixed on the turntable and the other of which is pivoted on the fixed half and provided with a follower engaging said cam, said cam being shaped to keep the mold closed in positions A, B and C, and open in position D, means for depositing a cylindrical can in the mold in position A and means for discharging a formed can from the mold in position D, an hydraulic cylinder and piston located at position B at the closed end of the can, and an opposite hydraulic cylinder and piston, said latter piston carrying a resilient rubber cylinder insertable into the can at that position and deformable in the can to cause the can to conform to the mold, and control means for energizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after a mold containing a new can is moved to position B, and for deenergizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after the can has been formed in position B for permitting further rotation of the turntable, a third hydraulic cylinder and piston located in position C, said latter piston carrying a can bottom forming member insertable into the mold at that position for engaging and forming the bottom of said can to simulate the bottom of a barrel, and an opposite hydraulic cylinder and piston at position C for performing a further operation on the open end of said can, the hydraulic cylinders and pistons in position C acting simultaneously to move into can engaging position and to move out of the mold at position C when the first-mentioned hydraulic cylinders and pistons are acting in position B.

3. An apparatus for changing the form of seamless metal containers of cylindrical shape open at the top which comprises, a supporting frame, a fixed cam carried by said frame, a shaft at right angles to said cam and passing through said cam, a turntable rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a rectangular rotating frame surrounding said cam, said supporting frame having four stations A, B, C and D for location of apparatus acting on parts carried by said turntable, means for moving said turntable step by step, 90 degrees for each step to bring the turntable supported apparatus successively into position at said four stations, four molds carried by said turntable and located at 90 degrees from each other to register with apparatus at said four positions, each mold having a centrally bulging round cavity open at both ends, and each cavity having three peripherally extending grooves in its outer wall located to form the container like a barrel with hoops, each mold comprising two halves, one of which is fixed on the turntable and the other of which is pivoted on the fixed half and provided with a follower engaging said cam, said cam being shaped to keep the mold closed in positions A, B and C,

and open in position D, means for depositing a cylindrical can in the mold in position A and means for discharging a formed can from the mold in position D, an hydraulic cylinder and piston located at position B at one end of the mold in that position, said piston carrying a backing cylinder inserted into the mold to engage the closed end of the can, and an opposite hydraulic cylinder and piston, said latter piston carrying a resilient rubber cylinder insertable into the can at that position and deformable in the can to cause the can to conform to the mold, and control means for energizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after a mold containing a new can is moved to position B, and for deenergizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after the can has been formed in position B for permitting further rotation of the turntable, the second-mentioned piston in position B carrying the rubber cylinder being provided with a sliding cylindrical collar surrounding the piston and rubber cylinder and spaced from the rubber cylinder to provide room for a portion of the can which initially protrudes from the mold at that position, and is later withdrawn into the mold as the can expands into barrel form, for preventing expansion of that part of the can which is outside of the mold by said resilient cylinder.

4. An apparatus for changing the form of seamless metal containers of cylindrical shape open at the top which comprises, a supporting frame, a fixed cam carried by said frame, a shaft at right angles to said cam and passing through said cam, a turntable rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a rectangular rotating frame surrounding said cam, said supporting frame having four stations A, B, C and D for location of apparatus acting on parts carried by said turntable, means for moving said turntable step by step, degrees for each step to bring the turntable supported apparatus successively into position at said four stations, four molds carried by said turntable and located at 90 degrees from each other to register with apparatus at said four positions, each mold having a centrally bulging round cavity open at both ends, and each cavity having three peripherally extending grooves in its outer wall located to form the container like a barrel with hoops, each mold comprising two halves, one of which is fixed on the turntable and the other of which is pivoted on the fixed half and provided with a follower engaging said cam, said cam being shaped to keep the mold closed in positions A, B, and C, and open in position D, means for depositing a cylindrical can in the mold in position A and means for discharging a formed can from the mold in position D, an hydraulic cylinder and piston located at position B at one end of the mold in that position, said piston carrying a backing cylinder inserted into the mold to engage the closed end of the can, and an opposite hydraulic cylinder and piston, said latter piston carrying a resilient rubber cylinder insertable into the can at that position and deformable in the can to cause the can to conform to the mold, and control means for energizing said hydraulic cylinders and pistons after a mold vcontaining a new can is moved to position B, and for deenergizing saidhydraulic cylinders and pistons after the can has been formed in position B for permitting further rotation of the turntable, the second-mentioned piston in position .B carrying the rubber cylinder being provided with a sliding cylindrical collar surrounding the piston and rubber cylinder and spaced from the rubber cylinder to provide room for a portion of the can which initially protrudes from the mold at that position, and is later withdrawn into the mold as the can expands into barrel form, for preventing expansion of that part of the can which is outside of the mold by said resilient cylinder, said latter piston carying a spring seat and a helical compression spring engaging said seat and acting against said collar to permit the collar to be retracted by engagement with the mold as the rubber cylinder advances into the can so that all parts of the cylinder wall of the can are surrounded by the assembly of the mold and the cylindrical collar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Hiscox: Mechanical Movements, published by Norman W. Henley and Co., N. Y., 1899, page 243. 

